Morning Read: Virginia's Big Business Leaders Desperate for a Third Party Gubernatorial Candidate

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Virginia’s big business leaders are desperate for a third-party candidate to enter the commonwealth’s gubernatorial race.

They view Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli as far too conservative and ideological, and former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAullife as an ultra-partisan Washington insider, according to Politico.

Right now their most likely hope for an independent candidate is Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, who on Monday said there is a 50-50 chance he’d jump in the race. (Bolling said his internal polling shows that 60 percent of Virginians are open to an independent candidate.)

The business leaders, according to Politico, are also asking moderate former Republican Rep. Tom Davis to consider a run. Davis’ wife, Jeannemarie Devolites Davis, is currently running for lieutenant governor. If she loses the Republican party’s nomination, hope persists that Davis may enter the race.

And ICYMI: Politico also reported that top GOP donors ripped Cuccinelli apart at a closed-door meeting late last week.

IN OTHER NEWS:

* Gov. O’Malley said he is “absolutely” trying to build support for a proposed transgender rights bill -- a bill that would ban discrimination based on gender identity and expression in employment, housing and public accommodations. (Washington Blade)

* Govs. O’Malley and McDonnell are once again being dubbed “frenemies” for working together to try to avoid federal funding cuts, which would disproportionately impact both of their states. (National Journal)

* President Obama has named Gov. O’Malley co-chair of the Council of Governors, a bipartisan council of 10 governors that brings together governors and federal officials to address National Guard and national security issues. (AP)

* Virginia’s transportation plan in unconstitutional because it does not impose uniform taxes across the state for similar activities, says Paul Goldman, former chairman of Virginia’s Democratic Party, and Norman Leahy, editor of a conservative blog on Virginia politics. (Washington Post)

* District pro-pot candidate Paul Zukerberg will remain on the ballot for April 23's special election for At-Large D.C. Council, but John Settles will not. (News4)

* Virginia’s passage of a massive transportation funding bill puts pressure on Maryland to do the same. (Washington Examiner)